Uncoupling device for car couplers



Aug. 10 1926.

' I G. G. GILPIN UNCOUPLING DEVICE FOR CAR COUPLERS Filed July 12. 192:5

.Evrior Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,595,2a-5 PATENT OFFICE.

GARTH G. GILEIN, OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOISyASSIGNOR TO UNION METAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF GI-IICA GO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TJNGOUELING DEVICE FOR CAR COUPLERS.

Application filed July 12, 1923.

This particular invention relates to what is generally known in the art as the push i w" -4 down or vertical plane type of uncoupl ng device and comprises two levers operatively connected having their ad acent ends pivotally mounted on the same fulcrum. Such devices are 0 "erated either by hand or foot.

(The particu ar advantage of this construc tion resides in the manner in which the levers are pivoted upon the fulcrum.) In levers of this general type the connection between the levers must allow the pin lifting lever to move freely laterally to accommodate the longitudinalm-ovement of the coupler in draft and in bufiingf The manner of operatively mounting the lifting lever upon the operating lever prevents it from tipping and binding, thereby causing friction in the device.

The impact of coupling causes sudden longitudinal movement of the coupler, which movement is transmitted to the adjacent end of the pin lifting lever and would be transmitted to the operating lever unless that lever is prevented from moving laterally. Switchmen frequently ride a moving car while coupling it and at the same time signal the engineer. In such an act he usually holds on the grab iron with his left hand and signals the engineer with his right hand while his left foot is on the sill step and his right foot is on the operating level". While in such a position a sudden movement of the operating lever has a tendency to, and frequently does, throw him from the car. One of the objects, therefore, is to provide a device which is safe for the switchman to operate.

The return bend and the extended portion therefrom provides two bearings which are provided in parts of the same metallic bar, therefore, act in unison to increase the hearing area of the operating lever upon the fulcrum, prevent or restrict it from moving Serial No. 651,151.

or swinging laterally and prevent it from tipping from a vertical plane.

Good practice requires that the handle end of the operating lever be positioned slightly in front of the vertical planeof the face of the end sill and below the push pol-e pocket. This is a generally recognized location of this handle, therefore, switchmen can reach it quickly even in the darkness. It is advantageous, therefore, to not permit the lever to move laterally, and especially advantageous not to allow the sudden or jerky movement of the pin lifting lever to be transmitted to the operating lever.

Means are provided to restrict the move'-' ment of the lever in a vertical plane which is a requirement of the Interstate Commerce Commission safety appliance acts.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a car with my invention applied thereon.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of the fulcrum.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the fulcrum end of the operating lever. 1

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the fulcrum end of the operating lever.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the fulcrum end of the pin lifting lever.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the pin lifting lever.

The usual parts of the car are shown,-

lifter 4 of the coupler 3. The operating lever 7 is extended toward the side of the car to any convenient location so that it can be operated by hand or foot. A downward pressure on the end 10 of the operating lever 7 raises the lock lifter 4 of the coupler. The lock is thus raised from behind the tail of the knuckle which permits the knuckle to swing outwardly and uncouple the cars; in fact, the raising of the lock automaticall throws the knuckle. This, however, is within the head of the coupler and has nothing to do with this invention.

The operating lever 7 has a rebent portion 11 which is extended to form portion 12.

This portion 12, as well as the body 7 0f the lever, has pe forations 13 and i l which engage journal 15 of the fulcrum 8 to form two bearings of the lever on the fulcrum. The pin lifting. lever 9 is provided with an elongated eye 16 which. engages rebent portion 11 of the operating lever and forms an operative connection between the two levers. The operating lever 7 is retained upon the fulcrum 8 by bolt 17.

The operating lever 7 is provided with a lug or stop 18' which engages walls .19 and 20 of the. fulcrum 8- to restrict its movement in a vertical plane. Restricting this movement in the operatinglever. also restrictsthis movement in the pin liftiuglever.

In the operating lever the horizontal distance between portionl-Qand-the main portion 7 is only slightly larger than portion 21 of vthe pin-lifting lever so that the pinlifting lever isqhel-d insubstantially a vertica-l'posrlion, thus preventing its tipping and wabblin-g.

The end-of the fulcrum lever 9- is provided with an elongated eye :16 "so that it mustbemounted upon the operating lever 7 before lever 7 is mounted upon the fulcrum, and furthermore, the connection between the two levers does not require the use of any bolts,

nuts, cotters, etc., whichmaj be lost and thus disconnect the two levers.

I claim:

1'. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising a fulcrum, an operating lever havingtwo bearings upon said fulcrum, and a pin lifting lever operati ely mounted upon said operating lever between the fulcrum and the coupler.

2. An uncoupling device for-car couplers comprising a fulcrum, an operating lever having a return bend at its fulcrum end 6};- tended to provide two bearings upon sai fulcrum, and a pin zlifti-ng lever operatively mounted upon said operating lever between the fulcrum and the coupler.

3. An uncoupling device for comprising a fulcrum, an operating lever having its fulcrum end bifurcated to provide two bearings upon said fulcrum, and a pin lifting lever o eratively mounted upon said operating lever betwe n the fulcrum and .the couplers.

4. An uncoupling device for car couplers car couplers the other end of said pin lifting lever opera tively connected to. said coupler.

6. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising a fulcrum, operating .lever having a returnbend at itsfulcrum end-em tended to provide two hearingsv upon said fulcrum, said extended por on continued to form a stop for engagement withnsaid fulcrum, and .a' pin lifting lever operatively mounted upon saidaoperating lever.

7. In an uncoupling device for car couplers comprising an operating lever provided with an aperture, said lever rei'oent to form a portion prowidedwitlr all-aperture, a fulcrum mounted upon the car passing through said apertures having a rota-tive connection therewith, and apin lifting lever operatively mounted on saiduopera-ting lever.

8. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprisinga fulcuum, r2111 .operating 'lever havinga return bendat its fulcrum-end ex tended to provide a doublezengag'ement with said fulcrum so as torestrict the lateral swingof said lever, and a pin lifting lever mounted on said bend S0138 .to holdit in substantiall vertical position.

9. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising .a fulcrum, an operating lever having a return bendat its fulcrum end extended' to provide a .doubleengagemeut -ith said fulcrum so as torestrict the lateral swing of said lcv r, andua' pin liftinglei' er mounted on said bend so as zto permit it to swing laterally to accommodate the movements-of the coupler in service and so as to hold .it in substantially vertical position.

GARTH saw-1n. 

